Tracing the broad movements in the teaching of English--both in theory and in practice--from its origin as a subject during the 1880's to the present day, this book focuses on the aspect of the teaching of English which has absorbed the greatest amount of teacher's time, energy, and enthusiasm: the teaching of literature. Chapters, following a chronological pattern, are "Early Traditions,""The Birth of a Subject,""A School for the People,""Science and the Teaching of English,""A Framework for Teaching,""Narrowed Goals,""An Academic Model for English,""Winds of Change," and "Afterword: The Problems Remaining." Appendixes covering important dates in the teaching of English, offerings in English in the North Central area from 1860 to 1900, requirements in English literature for college entrance from 1874 to 1900, the most frequently anthologized works from 1917 to 1957, the growth of English from 1900 to 1949, and major officers of the National Council of Teachers of English from 1912 to 1974 are included, along with a selected bibliography and an index. (JM)